It is the biggest night of the fashion calendar, and with the late, great fashion designer Alexander McQueen as a theme for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute gala ball last night, red carpet expectations were very high. And the A-listers didn’t disappoint. Countless stars including Sarah Jessica Parker and Salma Hayek wore the British designer’s creations, proving, with every arrival, that he was not known as a genius for nothing. The supermodels, naturally, looked superb. Gisele Bundchen wore a showstopping scarlet number from autumn 2005, while Crystal Renn, who sported an impressive geisha-inspired hairdo, wore a black ruffled gown. Sarah Jessica Parker wore a figure-hugging gold embellished sheath from the same collection as Gisele’s, while Daphne Guinness wore a creation made entirely of feathers that was the finale of Sarah Burton’s second solo collection for the fashion house earlier this year. Salma Hayek also wore a current creation, a gold chiffon gown with rose detail from the spring 2011 offering by Sarah Burton. And if McQueen couture is good enough for the Duchess of Cambridge, it’s good enough for Naomi Campbell, it seems, as the model wore a bespoke number by Sarah Burton. The designer herself wore a similar, albeit less fussy floaty white gown with an empire waistline and gold embellishment. But many other designers had a chance to shine too – particularly Stella McCartney, who created a number of dazzling pieces for the night. Madonna’s slinky blue gown with stars cascading down the back was probably the prettiest thing she’s worn in years, while Iman wore a bright gold pantsuit from the same label. Also in McCartney was and Eva Mendes, who channelled the Seventies in asymmetric royal blue dress with knife pleats, and Gwyneth Paltrow who wore a sparkling taupe column with a high neckline and long sleeves. Ms McCartney, who was co-hosting the event with Anna Wintour, wore a design from her own collection of course, the asymmetric ‘mullet’ skirt proving a hit with fashion bloggers. Among the other stars she dressed for the night were 14-year-old True Grit star Hailee Steinfeld, who wore a brown lace number with the same hemline as Ms McCartney, and Rihanna, whose flawless body did the figure-hugging lace gown justice. Vogue Editor Anna Wintour, who traditionally wears Chanel couture for the event, posed for photographers with her daughter, Bee Shaffer, who wore burgundy Balenciaga. But it was Blake Lively who arrived with designer Karl Lagergfeld, who had dressed the Gossip Girl beauty in a Chanel Couture creation from fall 2009. Burberry’s Christopher Bailey was no doubt proud of Transformers star Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in his pink satin number, while Miranda Kerr and Shalom Harlow braved the infamous Marchesa collection that had models fainting during the New York Fashion Week showcase in February. Jessica Alba may be pregnant, but that didn’t stop her wearing one of the most elegant gowns of the night – gold strapless Ralph Lauren styled by Rachel Zoe’s former assistant Brad Goreski … The gala event marked the launch of the Met’s much-anticipated Savage Beauty exhibition, which charts McQueen’s career. Guests were served a Scottish-themed dinner in the Temple of Dendur to represent McQueen’s Scottish roots. According to the museum, ‘his iconic designs constitute the work of an artist whose medium of expression was fashion. ‘Approximately one hundred examples will be on view, including signature designs such as the bumster trouser, the kimono jacket, and the Origami frock coat, as well as pieces reflecting the exaggerated silhouettes of the 1860s, 1880s, 1890s, and 1950s that he crafted into contemporary silhouettes transmitting romantic narratives. Technical ingenuity imbued his designs with an innovative sensibility that kept him at fashion’s vanguard.’ The exhibition will be open to the public from May 4, and will run until July 31.

I think it’s no secret that I am not a fashion hound … but I do get a kick out of seeing some of the fashions that are worn on display at this MET Costume Gala Ball. I LOVED Madonna‘s simple blue dress. The stars were a fabulous touch, she really looked amazing. I think Beyoncé‘s dress was a miss (horrible bust line) but both Gisele Bündchen and Blake Lively each looked so beautiful. Sarah Jessica Parker‘s high-necked dress was just so blah … her up’do made her look OLD. Take a gander at some of the outfits that were worn at the Gala event last night … who was your fave? Who do YOU think was the fugliest of the bunch?

i loved Blakes dress…and im lovin her new hair colour.
i kind of like jlos…if she had a softer hair do, lighter lipstick,lost half the flowers, it would have been perfect.
i dont know what the hell beyonce was thinking (and rihanna for that matter)
and well….k-stew…atleast she smiled!

saw a video of Beyonce walking up the stairs for this event. She couldn’t even walk without the help of her husband and assistant at her side. I love the dress but not sure I would put looking hot over the ability to walk. IMAN wins for me.

Totally agree, Beyonce’s dress was a mess. She didn’t wear the dress, the dress wore her. And RE: Kstew I was so impressed, her poise, her confidence, she’s really improved thumbs up for the effort there. Plus I like the nod to Proenza Schouler, it’s clear they bonded during the fashion shoot for Vogue earlier this year b/c they dressed her for this. And they were her dates as well! I feel like Kstew has grown up quite a bit.